Premier League: Arsenal defeat Tottenham to maintain top spot

Premier League leaders Arsenal defeated Tottenham 3-2 in a North London derby and cemented their place at the top on Sunday.

A 23-minute first-half blitz saw Arsenal race into a 3-0 lead through a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg headed own goal, Bukayo Saka finish, and Kai Havertz header.

But with Arsenal in total control, a 64th-minute howler by goalkeeper David Raya allowed Cristian Romero to pull one back.

An 87th-minute Heung-Min Son penalty then set up a nervy finish for the Gunners, who withstood Spurs’ late pressure to hold on and move four points clear of Manchester City who face struggling Nottingham Forest later on Sunday.

Arsenal, with the victory, claimed a third straight win and kept alive their hopes of a first Premier League title in 20 years.

After the despair of a damaging home defeat against Aston Villa and a Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich, the Gunners have bounced back impressively.

The Gunners also thrashed old foes Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday.

EPL: Man United draw Burnley as Newcastle thrash Sheffield

However, City will clinch an unprecedented fourth successive English title if they win their last five matches.

But Arsenal are doing all they can to make Pep Guardiola’s side sweat as they try to make amends for blowing an eight-point lead in last season’s title race.

Arsenal famously won the league twice at Tottenham’s old White Hart Lane Stadium, in 1971 and 2004.

Tottenham, meanwhile, suffered a second consecutive defeat to fall seven points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in a further blow to their hopes of Champions League qualification.

In Sunday’s other early kick-off, Bournemouth beat Brighton 3-0 through goals from Marcos Senesi, Enes Unai and Justin Kluivert.

Arsenal host Bournemouth on May 4 while Tottenham face a London derby against Chelsea on Thursday, May 2.

The Star